Need your expert opinions...

[bling19572010]

My whole family of 15 are taking a cruise on AOS in Dec. 2010 and I'm making up a packet with tips for everyone to read and/or take along with them on our cruise. Some have never been on a cruise before. The age range of our family is 16 mos. to 77 years old. Can you tell me some of your favorite and helpful tips? Also, can someone share with me important information if one of us should miss the ship after a day at a port?

 

Thank you so much for sharing!!

[cb at sea]

Get the cruise brochure (RCI will send it directly to them, if you ask) and a guidebook on the ports you'll visit.

There is absolutely NO REASON to miss the ship! Plan to be back on board with time to spare-and keep your watch (not your cell phone!) set to ship's time...there are clocks at every exit. Make sure you note ship's time before you leave the ship!

[SingingPixie]

The most important info regarding what to do if you miss the ship in port is to always bring the information about the port agent with you onto shore. This information is in your Cruise Compass, and is different for each port. If you contact this person, he/she will be able to assist you in catching up with the ship, or getting home if that's the better option. Also, if you're worried about this, always carry your passport. Trying to catch up with the ship when it's crossing international borders, or flying home is exponentially easier with a passport.

 

As far as hints- make sure you include info on tipping, so no one is surprised and everyone can plan accordingly. I like to include info on anything that costs extra as well. Dress code info is also helpful. I like to mention the fact that there is no clock in the cabin, so people can bring travel clocks if that's important to them (I get really anxious if I wake up and don't know what time it is). I also like to spell out the luggage procedures- how it gets on the ship (and what you should carry on to avoid being stuck waiting for your bag when you could be enjoying what's available onboard) and how it gets off (so they know when they're packing to be prepared with a small bag to carry anything that is needed the last morning, after bags have been collected the previous night. Info about shore excursions is also good- where they can look to book them, anything you might want to make a "group excursion day," etc.

[Carolin]

I don't think anyone "plans" on missing the ship departure. You will need several things. Money and a passport. Depending on where you miss the ship, you will need to catch up to the next port of call. To fly, you need a passport. To get from point A to point B, you will need pay. All of this is at your own expense. To get a passport (if you are not in the US), you will need to get to the US. embassy and get another one. All this being said, its very very important to NOT miss the ship. Get on board at least an hour before departure. And please let your family know that ship time is the most important. Not whats on the phone or local time.

[SWACK]

With that big of a group, I'd setup a standard meeting place.. earlyon locate a deck and area in which most would be confrtable waiting, and set that as your meeting place. The ships are big, and you can sepnd alot of time looking for each other.

 

We also bring post-its, leaving notes like. "Deck 11, port, foward 1pm" to tell people where we were last..

[lukes]

How great to share a vacation with an extended family like that.

 

singing pixie has excellent tips on extra charges, many people are surprised by what is included and what is not.

 

My one tip for your vacation would be to enjoy your vacation. I know many will say this but I am talking about you - travelling with 15 people is not easy. I have seen people travelling in a large group like this not really enjoy themselves becasue they are trying to keep everyone together. Don't try. Arrange to have dinner together. At dinner bring several copies of the Cruise Compass (the newsletter for the next day's activities). Let people choose what they want to do or point out things that they might enjoy and let them go to it. This might mean everyone is headed in 15 different directions. Meet up again for dinner the next day, share your experiences and start again. If you try to keep 15 together all the time, you will never enjoy yourself.

 

As far as making sure you don't miss the boat. There are three ways to do this. 1 Never leave the ship. 2 If going ashore take an excurision through the ship, they won't leave until all of their excurisions are back. 3. if going independently leave plenty of time. Plan to be back on board 1 hours prior to all aboard time.

 

Enjoy your vacation.

[LisaH]

How great to share a vacation with an extended family like that.

 

singing pixie has excellent tips on extra charges, many people are surprised by what is included and what is not.

 

My one tip for your vacation would be to enjoy your vacation. I know many will say this but I am talking about you - travelling with 15 people is not easy. I have seen people travelling in a large group like this not really enjoy themselves becasue they are trying to keep everyone together. Don't try. Arrange to have dinner together. At dinner bring several copies of the Cruise Compass (the newsletter for the next day's activities). Let people choose what they want to do or point out things that they might enjoy and let them go to it. This might mean everyone is headed in 15 different directions. Meet up again for dinner the next day, share your experiences and start again. If you try to keep 15 together all the time, you will never enjoy yourself.

 

As far as making sure you don't miss the boat. There are three ways to do this. 1 Never leave the ship. 2 If going ashore take an excurision through the ship, they won't leave until all of their excurisions are back. 3. if going independently leave plenty of time. Plan to be back on board 1 hours prior to all aboard time.

 

Enjoy your vacation.

 

I totally agree with this post regarding trying to keep all those people together. You would NOT enjoy your vacation as it would be a logistical nightmare. Doing dinner together each night is a great way to talk about what you did during the day and have some fun together. During the day everyone can do their own thing.

 

We do this and we only travel with one other couple. We do our thing during the day, they do theirs and then we have dinner together and then go to the show and have cocktails after. And we do the casino together as well.

 

Have a GREAT time.

[Desert Cruizers]

I know on the Radiance class and am sure there is a community Board in the Centrum, of the other ships, where you can leave notes where you might be on a given day. We used it alot during our Roll Call for our planned events to check on Dates & times, show everyone where this board is, so they can check it often. On the ROS it was to the Right of the Desk in the hallway outside the Centrum.

You will get a Compass at night, to go over and see the ship activities for the next day, so everyone can choose, then your better able to know where your family will be at set times.

[printingchick]

My whole family of 15 are taking a cruise on AOS in Dec. 2010 and I'm making up a packet with tips for everyone to read and/or take along with them on our cruise. Some have never been on a cruise before. The age range of our family is 16 mos. to 77 years old. Can you tell me some of your favorite and helpful tips? Also, can someone share with me important information if one of us should miss the ship after a day at a port?

 

Thank you so much for sharing!!

 

OMG, you are SO MUCH like me. This sounds like something I would do (have done) for my traveling companions! In the past, I've sent out weekly emails as the cruise approaches, from "Your Perky Cruise Director", giving tips like this.

 

Here goes:

• Don't miss the parades on the Royal Promenade. They don't last long, but are very uplifting for those of ALL ages.
  
• Ditto the ice show. You have to get tickets, but this is just so they can distribute the crowd among the various showings and everyone can get a seat. Tickets are free. You're basically just making reservations.
  
• You're in the southern Caribbean. These islands are gorgeous. If you identify your ports of call, people may be able to offer you specific suggestions.
  
• Visit the port of calls section of Cruise Critic for excursion suggestions.
  
• For those over the age of 18 and not too conservative, don't miss the Quest show. It's hysterical. Don't ask too many questions. it's more fun if you go in unprepared.
  
• USE SUN SCREEN. Even if you're dark-skinnned and NEVER burn. You're in the SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN. By the time you start to feel it, it's too late.
  
• In addition to the Windjammer, there are other included in your fare places to eat on the Promenade deck. There is Sorrentos Pizza and a deli, which is located in the gourmet coffee shop. (Gourmet coffee costs extra, deli does not.)
  
• USE YOUR CRUISE COMPASS. You'll get the following day's activities on a newsletter in your cabin each night. There is no way you can do it all. Let everyone pick their favorites. (As others have said, you don't have to cruise as a mob. Not everyone likes the same things.) You'll regret it if you miss something you really would have enjoyed because you didn't read your Compass.
  

HAVE FUN!!!

[bling19572010]

I feel that planning the cruise if half the fun!! I just want everyone to be informed, able to relax and enjoy themselves. I'm going to buy everyone a little file (the type that's plastic, has dividers and can easily fit into a carry on) with all their necessary travel documents, passports and a list of tips. Your idea of sending out emails is great. I might have to steal that one from you. Thanks for all your great tips!

 

OMG, you are SO MUCH like me. This sounds like something I would do (have done) for my traveling companions! In the past, I've sent out weekly emails as the cruise approaches, from "Your Perky Cruise Director", giving tips like this.

 

 

Here goes:

• Don't miss the parades on the Royal Promenade. They don't last long, but are very uplifting for those of ALL ages.
  
• Ditto the ice show. You have to get tickets, but this is just so they can distribute the crowd among the various showings and everyone can get a seat. Tickets are free. You're basically just making reservations.
  
• You're in the southern Caribbean. These islands are gorgeous. If you identify your ports of call, people may be able to offer you specific suggestions.
  
• Visit the port of calls section of Cruise Critic for excursion suggestions.
  
• For those over the age of 18 and not too conservative, don't miss the Quest show. It's hysterical. Don't ask too many questions. it's more fun if you go in unprepared.
  
• USE SUN SCREEN. Even if you're dark-skinnned and NEVER burn. You're in the SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN. By the time you start to feel it, it's too late.
  
• In addition to the Windjammer, there are other included in your fare places to eat on the Promenade deck. There is Sorrentos Pizza and a deli, which is located in the gourmet coffee shop. (Gourmet coffee costs extra, deli does not.)
  
• USE YOUR CRUISE COMPASS. You'll get the following day's activities on a newsletter in your cabin each night. There is no way you can do it all. Let everyone pick their favorites. (As others have said, you don't have to cruise as a mob. Not everyone likes the same things.) You'll regret it if you miss something you really would have enjoyed because you didn't read your Compass.
  

HAVE FUN!!!